We're seeing amazing turn-outs at the creative meet-ups across the country. Charlotte was incredible on May 27. I was unable to make the Nashville gathering this past week due to Ainsley's mom's surgery, but Sarah filled-in and met 100+ amazing creatives at Cross Point's Bellevue campus (pictured above).

Our Detroit meet-up is next on July 15. Let us know you're coming by signing up here. There are already 75 coming with a few weeks to go. Chicago and Cincinnati are next.

And don't forget the national gathering of the creative class on Sept 15-16 in Chicago at STORY. Best rate ends soon.

Ainsley's mom came through brain surgery yesterday to remove a cancerous turmor. They removed the right occipital lobe of her brain, but she was lucid after she woke up. She's in ICU for a few days. Thanks for your prayers

I've been watching our three cowboys non-stop for the past few days and loving it. We rode a ferry in Norfolk's harbor yesterday to the Portsmouth children's museum.

You can't be a dream chaser without being a rain maker. It doesn't matter what kind of dream you have (non-profit, writing books, donor-model, church planting), every dream needs capital

Loved connecting with Daniel and Stephanie Gutierrez over Skype the other day. They recently left their church-start Bloom in Minneapolis to return as missionaries in Lima, Peru. They're going to help us with a global STORY project launching soon.

There's a mental shift each person in Dream Year has to make before they can see their dream become realized.

It's to stop seeing their vision as a personal pet project and embrace it as a calling that involves other people. And not just any other people. The best people in your life.

In 1 Samuel 10:26, when Saul was appointed the first king of Israel, it says, “Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched.”

When you go after a dream, you need some valiant people around you. Your dream is not just for you. It's for others. You just happened to get the invitation.

There two kinds of teams you can attract: the easy team or the dream team.

The dream team requires a big ask. It requires you to think more highly of your dream and have the courage to invite them. It may require that they move. Change jobs. Make asks of other people. Invest money. But your team is a direct reflection of your dream. Who is surrounding you?

We felt your outpouring of love, prayers and support after announcing the news about our family... and then...

A dead car battery; lost keys to our other car; Ainsley contracted the worst sickness in our 11 year marriage; our four year old with a plastic baseball bat vs. our plasma flatscreen (which lost); my inability to make three critical meetings that will likely affect our livelihood; an ER visit for Cody who cut himself badly; the absence of a recovered Ainsley to care for her mother; and an impending move in one week.

By Saturday all I could do was laugh at the calamity. A pain-filled laugh, but feeling the bliss of resignation.

Here's what I'm learning:

To trust God when I'm abased as well as when I abound.

I'm blessed by so many things: that we live in Virginia Beach for such a time as this; that I don't have a boss who requires my rear end to occupy an office chair; for an incredible family; for friends who have reached out; and for opportunities that allow me to keep chasing and helping others chase their dreams.

Thought you might like hearing this. In 2009, I pulled together movie clips that speak to the greater metanarrative of life... moved into quotes from some pastors you might know... and ended it with Arcade Fire's kick arse anthem... enjoy. =)

After the merriment, socializing and wonderful food at the Nashville creative meet-up on June 22, I'm going to share a new project that I'm bursting at the seams to unveil. Can't wait for this gathering - sign up [here].

Amazing large scale projection for Hot Wheels. This one has a storyline, which is the next step now that environmental projection has achieved the wow factor.

Working on an incredible new site for Dream Year which will allow scores of people to go through the year-long process to bring their audacious projects to life... masterminded by my friend @elliottmunoz

We're spending ungodly amounts of money on the STORY notebooks this year. I like a good notebook. So you better believe you're getting one.

360 theater? Are you kidding? You say it's Peter Pan? Who cares? Sign me up. Currently playing in Chicago

This month, so many of my Dream Year participants are experiencing breakthroughs. They are fearing the "big ask" no longer. Doors are opening. Waters are parting.

Ains is 'lay in bed with a bowl' sick today, so I'm off to spend the morning with my munchkins

For the past few months, our family has been battling some forces outside of our control, and I thought it was time to share this on the blog for the sake of needed prayer.

We moved to Virginia Beach in 2009, not just because we love the ocean, but because Ainsley's mother, brother and sister-in-law's family live here. We rented a house for the first two years to get our feet wet. But as we were preparing to find something more permanent this summer, we got bad news...

After experiencing some loss of sight and extreme nausea, Ainsley's mother was diagnosed by a neurosurgeon as having glioblastoma in the back of her brain - the most aggressive kind of brain cancer there is. No one survives it. How long she has, ranges from 2 months to 12 months depending on the treatment.

We're doing everything can. But because of how disabling it is, our family is moving into her home this month to care for her in the time that she has left... and also to look after another close family member with severe health issues.

On top of an unusually rigorous season of running Dream Year and STORY for me, this season has been especially tough on our whole family. We've been rapidly converting her garage into a suite, preparing to move all of her things out - and all of ours in - all within three short weeks. We're holding on for dear life.

If you're inclined to pray, we'd appreciate what you have to offer for Ainsley's mom's health and our family's strength to endure this season.

Whenever you attempt audacious things, rule number 1 is to always hire a photographer to document it. The very talented Bernardo Marentesshot these photos on set of "Among Us" in Charlotte. I cannot wait for you to see the finished product. It will premiere at STORY with a live soundtrack. [flickr]

Washington DC made the perfect backdrop for our Dream Year Weekend. Gorgeous weather. Mark Batterson delivered two powerful talks. The participants acted like old friends within minutes. "Curbside Cupcakes." Ebeneezer's Coffehouse. See all of the photos by my amazing coordinator Ally Fouts HERE.

As a teenager, Jeff worked for a summer at a McDonald's. He hated it. So the next summer, Jeff and his girlfriend created a education camp for younger kids. They charged $600 a pop. Called "The DREAM Institute," the camp got six signups.

(I knew I liked Jeff Bezos)

"While Justin [Timberlake] was on vacation, I was making records." ~Kanye West #hustle

We're adding 5 new presenters at STORY end of June.

Photos from Dream Year DC weekend coming soon!

Talk about experiential dining

And how funny but true =)

Finally my much loved son in the middle of this pile at school. Think it had to do with the treats he brought in =)

Here are a few photos from the diner scene in "Among Us" which will premiere at STORY. Jared Hogan did an unbelievable job on this piece. It was filmed at an authentic mobile diner called Mattie's that was trucked to Charlotte from New Jersey six months ago. The owner gave us run of the place, served us great food, and even had a role in the film.